Compare CostMate vs. Stratosphere in 2026

Stratosphere

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Description

CostMate is a specialized estimating software designed for residential builders in New Zealand, particularly targeting solo operators and small teams involved in renovations, such as bathrooms, decks, and extensions. It calculates labor costs using phase-specific production rates that take into account real-world site conditions like access issues, height variations, existing building constraints, and team size, moving away from a simple square-metre pricing approach. The software automatically applies BRANZ wastage percentages to material amounts, ensuring that estimates are both accurate and compliant with industry standards. Furthermore, every estimate inherently incorporates New Zealand Building Code stipulations related to external moisture, wet areas, energy efficiency, and timber framing, eliminating the need for a separate checklist. Before an estimate is forwarded to clients, a quote-checking procedure reviews the details and highlights common oversights in residential quotes. CostMate operates on a robust rules engine rather than a language model, ensuring that every quantity, wastage percentage, and code item is precise and can be traced back to its origin. It is important to note that this software does not function as a quantity surveying tool, project management system, or job scheduling application, making it distinctly tailored to the estimating needs of builders. Additionally, its design emphasizes transparency and reliability, allowing users to have confidence in the accuracy of their estimates.

Description

Stratosphere, a cloud-based construction takeoff tool, gives estimators unprecedented freedom and flexibility to complete takeoffs wherever they are. Stratosphere is the ideal software for you if you are looking for a single tool that will save you time, give you access to your plans, projects, and doesn't force any changes in the way you estimate. Stratosphere can be used from any web browser. It can also be integrated with Microsoft Excel via our custom Excel Add-in. Stratosphere is free to download and use. We offer flexible monthly plans and annual plans with discounts for larger groups.